The Kawasaki Z300 serves as the entry-level model in the brand’s Indian Z line-up and is priced at Rs 3.24 lakh (ex-showroom, India). It is based on the same platform as the Ninja 300, with design cues from the Z900.
- Powered by a 296cc liquid-cooled parallel-twin engine
- Gets a reverse LCD display without smartphone connectivity
- Follows Sugomi styling, much like the Z900
It competes against the sport-nakeds from KTM and TVS
At the heart of the Z300 is the same 296cc liquid-cooled twin-cylinder engine as the Ninja 300, which produces 40hp at 11,000rpm (1hp more) and 26.3Nm of torque at 10,000rpm (0.2Nm more), paired with a 6-speed gearbox. Visually, the Z300 borrows its ‘Sugomi’ styling cues from its larger sibling, the Z900. In keeping with its streetfighter design ethos, the Z300 features a wide, upright single-piece handlebar and engaging yet comfortable ergonomics. On the features front, it gets dual-channel ABS and a reverse LCD instrument cluster similar to the one on the Ninja 500, but misses out on the smartphone connectivity. Weighing 175kg, the Z300 is 4kg lighter than the Ninja 300 (179kg), a difference primarily due to its stripped-back bodywork. The motorcycle is offered in two colour options: Candy Lime Green and Metallic Carbon Grey.
Underneath the naked bodywork, the Z300 uses the same tubular frame as the Ninja 300. Suspension duties are handled by a 37mm right-way-up telescopic fork at the front and a preload-adjustable monoshock at the rear. The cycle parts are also carried forward directly from the Ninja 300, meaning it uses the same 17-inch alloy wheels with a 110-section front and a 140-section rear tyre. The braking hardware is also the same, featuring a 290mm petal disc at the front and a 220mm petal disc at the rear.
Currently, the Z300’s chief rivals are the 350cc KTM 390 Duke (Rs 2.85 lakh) and TVS Apache RTR 310 (Rs 2.30 lakh). Both are single-cylinder motorcycles with more performance-oriented chassis setups, although the Z300’s parallel-twin engine should give it an edge in refinement. The Z300 might not match them in terms of outright performance, but the Kawasaki badge and twin-cylinder engine give it a distinct proposition in the segment.
All prices are ex-showroom.
